Device to facilitate swimming



Jun. 27. 1925- I 1,524,304

C. F. PARKS DEVICE T0 FACILITATE SWIMMING Filed April '7, 1924 lfYl/E/V TOR. CHHRL 5s A P/uexs.

Patented Jan. 27, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES F. PARKS, OF I/IUNCIE, INDIANA.

DEVICE TO FACILITATE SWIMMING.

Application filed April 7,

To all whom it may] concern:

Be it known that CHARLES F. Burns, a citizen of the United States, residing at iduncie, in the county of Delaware and State of Indiana, has invented certain new and useful Improvements in Devices to Facilitate Swimming, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to devices for facilitating swimming of that type consisting of a flat solid sole member adapted to be secured to the foot, and upon the bottom of which sole is hingedly mounted a pair of wings which upon the operative movement of the foot are caused to spread, and which upon the inoperative movement of the foot, are caused to collapse or fold.

The object of this invention is to provide a device of the kind described which will be simple in construction and operation, and which is capable of being manufactured economically. Further objects are to provide a device of this kind that is light in weight, positive in action and in which there is a uniformly maximum displacement of water with each operative movement or stroke of the foot.

The objects of my invention are accomplished and the invention consists of the new construction, combination and arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawings and described in the following specification.

In the drawings Figure '1 is a side vicw ot my improved swimming device.

Figure 2 is an enlarged top plan view.

Figure 3 is an enlarged bottom plan view.

Figure 4 is an end view of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail view of the combination hinge lug and spacer stop bar.

The sole A may be made of wood, preferably of elm or poplar and is of length and width and general contour as shown. Means to fasten this sole to the foot may consist of toe straps B, and the heel strap 0.

My invention consists in the new and novel construction and combination of the wings D and the hinge lug and stop bar G. The wings may be of light sheet copper or steel, and each is provided with spaced tongues D which are bent around to loosely engage a longitudinal central hinge rod F. To accomplish the uniformly free and fric- 1924. Serial NO. 704,662.

tionless operation of these wings, the said tongues are disposed at a slight angle, D 66 as shown in Figure 4 so that when the body port-ion of the wing is against the sole, the eye D of the tongue occupies position a slight distance apart from the sole.

To constitute a suitable support and jour nal for the hinge rod F and stop bar for the wing or wings when either or both of them may be at the extreme folded position, I provide a cast device shown in detail in the drawings, and which consists of a body piece G having the integrally formed sides G and the stud G The stud G is threaded and when the nut H is screwed down thereon (and which nut is suitably countersunk in the sole) the body piece is drawn and screwed to the sole. The lower portion of the body piece consists of a stop bar G By the foregoing combination and arrangement of parts there is the support of the wings in such manner that there is uniform contact against the bottom of the solo. The wing surface so presented to the water upon the outward stroke of the foot affords a maximum displacement, as the amount of water permitted to flow between the wing 30 connections is inconsiderable. The member i performs the triple function of journal for the hinge rod, and retainer to hold the wings against longitudinal movement, and stop bar to limit the movement of the wings when swung to the folded position.

An angular recess D provided in the wing plate at each stop bar permits of suitable clearance so that while the plates may swing clear of the side portion G of the member G, there is practically a closure against the flow of water through this connection.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a swimming device of the kind de scribed, a support and stop device consist ing of a lug whose side portions are adapted to be engaged by recesses in the Wings, and having a stud extending upwardly from the body portion and for connection to the sole, and a lower portion being extended to form a stop for said wings when at the folded posit-ion.

2. A swimming device comprisinga sole piece, stop bars spaced apart on a central line longitudinally and which stop bars are provided with lateral extensions, a longitudinal hinge rod j ournalled in said stop bars and a slight distance below the bottom of 5 the so1e,-a pair of sheet metal wings having complemental tongues to engage the hinge rod and having recesses engaged by the 1ateral extensions of the stop bars. the bent tongues being disposed at an angle to the plane of the wings so that when the wings are .folded they are at registration with the sides of the stop bars.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

CHARLES F. PARKS. 

